Giant crocodile captured in Sri Lanka

Colombo, Feb 24 (Xinhua) A huge 16.5 foot (about 5.03 metre) crocodile weighing up to 1,000 kg has been captured in Sri Lanka, a newspaper said. The Daily Mirror said Monday the giant crocodile was captured Sunday by residents in Hendala, around 20 km north of here.

The residents caught the crocodile with the help of a noose while it was swimming in the Kallualla canal, the newspaper said.

Residents complained the animal was responsible for the disappearance of household pets and livestock in the area and had been spotted in the vicinity a few times.

The newspaper quoted Wildlife Department range officer Amil Jayawardene as saying the crocodile was 16.5 feet long and weighed between 800 kg and 1,000 kg.

With the assistance of the residents and the police, the male crocodile was transported to the head office of the Wildlife Department in Malabe, the newspaper said.